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What does the Bible say about friendship?

From David and Jonathan to Jesus calling his disciples 'friends,' scripture treats friendship as one of life's deepest goods. Proverbs returns to the subject often — warning against the wrong companions and praising the friend who 'sticks closer than a brother.' Real friendship in the Bible sharpens you, costs you, and stays.

A friend loves at all times.

By Mohau Tshabangu · Founding editor & lead writer · How we review

Bible verses about friendship

"A friend loveth at all times; And a brother is born for adversity."

Proverbs 17:17

"Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

Proverbs 27:17

"He that maketh many friends doeth it to his own destruction; But there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

Proverbs 18:24

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falleth, and hath not another to lift him up."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

"Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as also ye do."

1 Thessalonians 5:11

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